Buckle.



No. 727,992. PATBNTBD MAY l2, 1903. v

D. M. MOLEAN.

BUCKLE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED AUG. 26, 1902.

No MODEL.

m: mams Prrsas co. pHoro-Luna. WASHING von, D. c.

Patented May 12, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

DONALD M. MCLEAN,OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 727,992, dated May 12,1903.

Application led August 26, 1902! Serial No. 121,021. (No model.)

To all whom it mayconcern:

Beit known that I, DONALDM. MCLEAN, of Boston, in the county of Suffolkand State of Massachusetts, have .invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Buckles,of which A further object is to provide such abuc-A kle. which will enable an ordinary padlock to be employed withoutrisk of breaking the padlock or parts of the buckle in use, due to thepadlock being struck by any external object.

To these ends the invention consists in the construction substantiallyas hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure lrrepresents a plan view, and Fig. 2 alongitudinal section, of one embodiment of the invention. and 4represent views similar to Fig. 2, but each illustrating a differentembodimentvof the invention. Fig. 5 represents a perspective view of theform of buckle shown in secy -is concerned. Inthis form, however, theportion in Fig. 3.

The same reference characters indicate the saine parts in all thefigures.

Referring first to Figs.l and 2, the frame of the buckle is shown as ofan ordinary type having side bars a and cross-bars b, c, and d,respectively, the cross-bar c serving as the means for attachment of oneend of a strap a: in a common manner, the cross-bar d being thatunderneath which the free end of the strap is passed, and the cross-barbforming a loop to confinerthe end y of the strap. In this form the rigidtongue e consists simply of an arm projecting upward from the crossbar cand integral therewith and preferably at an angle toward the cross-barCZ. The outer end of the tongue e is formed with a perforatedenlargement f to receive the hasp of a padlock g, which latter may be ofthe ordinary typ'e and is represented somewhat conventionally. It willbe observed that the outer end of the tongue projects out of the Figs.3.

jeither as shown in the drawings or may swingv over to rest upon thebuckle without bending `or breaking the padlock or its hasp or anyportion of the buckle.

The form of buckle shown in Figs. 3 and 5 differs somewhat from the formj ust described in that the tongue e is shorter and thicker and formedwith a more pronounced enlargement fand also in that the cross-bar b isdesigned to be connected with the strap A holdingloop fr is shown inthis figure for the end of the strap y. In each form shown theenlargement of the tongue is such as to form a shoulder h at the backthereof, said shoulder engagingl the top of the strap y at the end ofthe slot or hole in the latter, and thus preventing the strap fromslipping 0E fromthe tongue whether a lock g is employed or not. The formshown in Figs. 3 and 5 is particularly serviceable in this respect, asthe tongue inclines somewhat rearwardly.

In'the form represented in Fig. 4 the construction is somewhat similarto that shown .in Fig. 2 in so far as the rigidity of the tongue tionofthe buckle back of the cross-bar c is omitted, thus simply doing awaywith the metallic loop for confining the strap end. In this form thetongue is not integral with the cross-bar of the buckle, but ispreferably riveted to it, so as to be practically as rigid as 'the otherforms shown.

The cross-bar (Z of the buckle may be pro- `represented in Fig. 4.

`In each form shown the construction is such thatthe' padlock may swingfreely over, so as to rest either forward or back of the tongue, withoutliability of injuring either member or the connection between them, andwhen-it vvided with the usual antifriction-sleeve h, as p is not desiredto lock the strap the padlock may be entirely removed and the bucklethen used in the ordinary manner, the shoulder at the back of thetonguebei'ng ample to prevent accidental displacement of the strap;

As will be readily understood, a chain might IOO be substituted for thestrap, if desired, Withenlargement may swing forward or back on outdeparting from the spirit of the invention. the buckle.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my sig- I claim- A buckle having arigid tongue provided nature in presence of two witnesses. 5 with aperforated enlargement at its end, said DONALD M. MCLEAN.

enlargement projecting out of the plane of the cross-bars of the buckle,whereby a padlock having its hasp in the perforation of the Witnesses:

C. F. BROWN, A. W. HARRISON.

